We’re thrilled to announce that OpenHW is officially joining the Eclipse Foundation, a move that will allow us to sharpen our focus on delivering high-quality cores with the backing of a trusted, globally recognized open source partner. As part of this transition, we’re also evolving our name to OpenHW Foundation, reflecting our growing membership, stronger collaborations, and enhanced leadership within the industry. This transition is expected to be finalised by December 2024, positioning us for even greater impact in the open source hardware space.
Here are answers to some key questions about this transition:
This transition is a natural evolution in our journey. We’ve collaborated closely with the Eclipse Foundation since our inception, benefiting from their robust development processes, governance, and IT infrastructure. By formalising this relationship, we can focus even more on delivering high-quality open source hardware IP, streamline operations, and leverage the Eclipse Foundation’s long-term stability and global credibility. This step strengthens our community and positions us for continued success.
Joining the Eclipse Foundation significantly strengthens our ability to focus on the core mission of our community: developing high-quality, open source RISC-V IP. With Eclipse’s robust support, we are excited to continue advancing our work on verification, stability, and continuity, all driven by our member-led roadmap.
As part of this transition, OpenHW will operate as a European-based, global open source organisation, and will leverage its formal affiliation with Eclipse to elevate its role in driving forward open source RISC-V initiatives. This move positions us, through our members’ initiatives, to take on new challenges and pursue growth opportunities, ensuring that the OpenHW Foundation remains at the forefront of innovation in the open source hardware community.
The OpenHW Foundation will continue to lead in providing open source hardware IP tailored to the embedded industry’s needs. By streamlining our operations through the Eclipse Foundation, we’re in an even stronger position to support the industry with high-quality, verified cores that meet the rigorous demands of modern embedded applications. Our ongoing projects, such as the CVA6, CVE4 and CVE2 cores and our open source platform initiatives, remain reliable and performant solutions for deeply embedded control units and safety-critical applications, helping drive innovation and adoption across the embedded ecosystem.
No, the way you interact with OpenHW will remain largely the same. You’ll continue working with the same contacts on your current projects. The only difference is the process for joining as a member and the governance rules under which our initiative will operate.
The transition will enhance our ongoing projects and initiatives. Here’s an update on key efforts:
Operationally, not much will change. Our team remains the same, and we plan to expand it further. You’ll continue working with the same contacts on the same projects with minimal disruption. We will be reaching out to existing OpenHW members to guide them through the process to transition their formal membership from the current OpenHW Group to the new OpenHW Foundation.
Aligning with the Eclipse Foundation offers members enhanced stability, credibility, and a stronger focus on core projects. With over 20 years of experience in delivering high-value open source technologies, Eclipse’s support ensures that the newly formed OpenHW Foundation will continue to provide reliable, high-quality open source hardware IP. This commitment not only supports current members but also drives innovation and growth in the open hardware industry, benefiting all members now and in the future.
This transition strengthens our already deep collaboration with the Eclipse Foundation, offering technology partners increased continuity and stability in adopting open source hardware IP. By becoming part of Eclipse, we’re better positioned to maintain and expand our high-quality offerings, including robust verification frameworks and tools compatible with both commercial and open source EDA tools. This partnership also reaffirms our commitment to long-term stability and innovation within the RISC-V ecosystem, giving technology partners greater confidence in our ability to deliver reliable, cutting-edge solutions over the long term.
The combination of OpenHW’s leadership in open source hardware and the Eclipse Foundation’s proven track record of fostering innovation and commercial success presents a powerful advantage for technology partners. Partners will gain access to a highly collaborative ecosystem, where cutting-edge RISC-V technologies are developed to industry-leading standards and supported by a diverse, member-driven governance model.
The adoption of open source principles in hardware is just beginning to take off, and with Eclipse’s established expertise in enabling long-term value in industries like automotive, FinTech, IoT, and beyond, technology partners can confidently align their RISC-V initiatives with a trusted, stable organisation. By joining forces, we create an environment where partners can innovate faster, leverage a wide range of resources, and scale their projects with the assurance that they are supported by an ecosystem that thrives on collaboration and shared success.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of open source hardware, driving next-gen technologies in cloud, mobile, AI, automotive, and beyond.
Partnering with the Eclipse Foundation will positively impact the development and release of new IP and tools. With additional resources and support, we can accelerate our development roadmap, leading to more frequent updates, enhancements, and new releases. Our member-driven approach ensures all developments continue to meet industry needs and uphold the highest quality standards. Expect a faster pace of innovation, aligned with technological advancements and market demands.
Being part of the Eclipse Foundation boosts innovation within the RISC-V ecosystem by fostering a stable and collaborative environment where cutting-edge open source development can thrive. By leveraging Eclipse’s infrastructure and expertise in nurturing vibrant communities, we enhance the quality and reach of open source offerings, attracting an even more diverse set of contributors. This inclusive approach stimulates new ideas and accelerates ecosystem growth, ultimately benefiting the entire RISC-V landscape.
We are committed to both maintaining and expanding our support for a diverse range of commercial Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. Our priority is to ensure that OpenHW Foundation RISC-V IP Cores are fully compatible with the tools most valued by our members. The inclusion of several EDA tool makers as members of OpenHW underscores our commitment to achieving broad tool compatibility. This is essential for facilitating successful implementations across various industries, enabling robust and flexible solutions for all our members and partners.
Joining the Eclipse Foundation will not change our current licensing model. We will continue to use the Apache 2.0 licence with Solderpad 2.0, providing the flexibility needed for both industrial and academic use. This licensing model supports commercial and industrial projects, as well as research and development, allowing for innovation and customization of our cores.
Organisations can utilise OpenHW Foundation IP in their designs without needing to be a member. However, membership provides significant advantages, including the opportunity to shape our roadmap and ensure that our IP includes the features you need. By becoming a member, you contribute to our ongoing development and gain a pivotal role in guiding the future of our IP. This engagement is especially beneficial for commercial projects and is a major factor in the continued growth of our membership.
To ensure a smooth and successful transition to the Eclipse Foundation, we warmly invite our members, community leaders, and stakeholders to play an active role. Here’s how you can contribute:
New OpenHW members can now join directly through the Eclipse Foundation. Visit the Eclipse Membership page to learn how to become part of this exciting initiative.
For more information and to get involved, please email [email protected].